- Created: March 19, 2024 7:01 pm
- Updated: April 13, 2024 7:02 pm
- Distance 1.89 miles
- Time 0 s
- Speed 290 mph
- Min altitude 10 ft
- Peak 82 ft
- Climb 272 ft
- Descent 272 ft
- Distance Instructions
- Travel mode
- straight-line
This is a route around Poulsbo's Fish Park. Really, it's just a meander. The length can pretty much be any length that you want and you can just spend your time exploring the trails. I've tried to include some icons in the route waypoints at the end, and on the map showing where various things are (picnic tables), etc. If you want a restroom, you'll find a sani-can near the Lindvig Way entrance.
Poulsbo's Fish Park is popular with dog-walkers (dog walkers, note that there are "doggie bags" available near the front of the park so clean up after your pup!) and with families with kids.
Though not as popular as it used to be, it seems, the Poulsbo Fish Park is also a Pokemon Go spot. One day the park was crowded and a mom rolling her eyes told me, "It's a Charmander event."
The park sits on Dogfish creek and its estuary empties out into Liberty Bay.
I noted one intrepid kayaker, some time ago, blogged about kayaking into the Fish Park. However, I'd be very careful about that and be very aware of the tides. It turns into a mud flat when the tide goes out and you could get trapped. I've kayaked Liberty Bay many, many times, but do not venture in to the Fish Park.
The park has numerous boardwalks and little bridges going over streams. There are also several benches around the park, observation platforms, and picnic tables.
You'll also find a small amphitheater here at the park, which appears to be intended for outdoor educational programs, though I've never seen it used for such.
Fish at the Fish Park
You might think that Poulsbo's Fish Park was named for the fish motif that runs throughout the park! But there are fish here -- during the fall salmon run, you might be able to spy coho and chum salmon as well as some trout here. Early November, WSU usually hosts salmon tours and this is one of the numerous spots around town to view the salmon.
Besides fish, you'll likely encounter plenty of bunnies at the park, as well. In fact, you're likely to encounter more bunnies than fish.
Art at Poulsbo's Fish Park
Notable, it is large, driftwood fish sculpture made by local artist Travis Foreman.
The site had been a candidate for one of the wood troll sculptures by Thomas Dambo -- which seems a good fit for Poulsbo -- but the city decided against it and Bainbridge Island now has Pia the Peacemaker at Sakai Park.
You can walk underneath the road on one path and view murals by artist James Mayo -- one depicting otters and fish and another depicting natural and what I, upon first glance, thought were supposed to be "historical" scenes -- though I am pretty sure that no Viking maidens existed in Poulsbo except in the imagination or in cosplay!
If you go past the bridge and follow the trail where the murals are, the side with the Viking maiden will take you into the parking lot of Liberty Bay auto center and then you can find some steps to get back up to the street and continue your walk into downtown Poulsbo.
If you walk alongside the fish mural, you'll walk behind some apartment buildings and then encounter some stairs which will take you up to a playground and the historic Martinson cabin.
Birding at Poulsbo's Fish Park
If you come in the park at the Lindvig Way entrance, you might note a birding trail sign. There are many birds here...but bring your binoculars and prepare for frustration with getting bird photos (and have a long lens ready). On most of my visits here, the birds are high up in the canopy or way back at one of the bird boxes. Sure, I've seen a bald eagle or osprey flying far overhead but I've found this area better for bird viewing or bird sounds that for getting decent bird photos (except for little brown jobs and robins that like to come down to ground level).
Not for cycling!
The trails at the fish park are not for cycling. Foot traffic only. There are (fish shaped, of course) racks to lock up your ride near the entrances to the park.
Gallery
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" alt="Poulsbo's Fish Park mural under the road" width="450" height="300" data-no-lazy="1" data-src-fg="https://www.pnwbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Some-Fish-Park-Stills-for-Video-Sequence-12/1155221146.jpg" />Route Waypoints
2. Picnic Tables
There are some picnic tables near the park entrance off Lindvig Way.
3. Bike Rack
A fish-shape bike rack to lock up your bike as one's not allowed at the Fish Park.
4. Platform
One of the many platforms in the park, overlooking the estuary.
5. Hilltop benches
There are semicircular benches at the top of the hill with some decorative tiles which, I think, were made by a local school group.
6. Fish Park Entrance
The entrance of the Fish Park that's off Lindvig Way.
7. Bat Boxes
A row of what I believe to be bat boxes at the park.
8. Fish Park Bulletin Board
A sign board -- with fish motif, of course -- near the park entrance off Lindvig Way.
9. Entrance off Bond Road
There's another parking lot and entrance, here off Bond Road.
10. Estuary
The estuary at the fish park. I've heard of some people kayaking in during high tide, though I've never actually seen anyone do it in person -- but I'd be very wary. The tide can recede quickly enough and then it's a mud flat.
11. Parking Lot
The parking lot at the Fish Park off Lindvig Way.
12. Observation deck
13. Bench
A bench near the Lindvig Way entrance of the Fish Park.
14. Cultural History of Liberty (Dogfish) Bay Sign
You'll find signs like these scattered throughout the park, describing some of the natural history of the area or of the local flora and fauna.
15. Benches and Bridge
Log benches and a small bridge going over a stream.
16. Stairs
Some stairs to up to an area with a large tree.
17. Lookout over the estuary.
Looking out over the estuary from one of the observation platforms.
18. Boardwalk
Another boardwalk.
19. Slippery Path
Beware of this particular tiny piece of boardwalk. It gets flooded and is extremely slippery.
20. Boardwalk
One of the many boardwalks throughout the park.
21. Playset
A wood playset at the park.
22. Bench
You'll find plenty of benches around the Fish Park -- both in plain sight and some hidden in little nooks.
23. Streams and Ponds
You'll find areas where you can view Dogfish Creek running through the park, or where the water ends in a pond or pool.
24. Big Tree
A large tree at the park.
25. Bridge
One of the bridges going over streams at the park.
26. Estuary and Marshland
Some views of the estuary from an observation platform.
27. Creating an Imperfect Web
One of the many signs about nature at the park.
28. Hill up to the fish sculpture.
A path up the hill leads to a bench and the large, driftwood, fish sculpture.
29. Platform and Bench
A platform with a bench overlooks the creek.
30. Bridge
A small wood bridge over one of the streams.
31. Volunteerism Sign
Volunteerism: A state of mind. Probably one I should be in, here.
32. Walkway
A walkway to one of the platforms at the park.
33. Boardwalk
One of the many boardwalks at the Fish Park. Most are covered with non-skid material, but beware of areas that are starting to deteriorate (fortunately, most are marked) or some wet areas (we noted one in particular in this route) that are not covered with non-skid.
34. Platform and benches
A platform overlooks the estuary with some low benches to sit on if you need a rest.
35. Walkway from Bond Road
A walkway near the Bond Road entrance has some accessibility rails.
36. Bench
Stop and take a rest.
37. Driftwood Fish Sculpture
The large driftwood fish scuplture at the Fish Park was made by local artist Travis Foreman.
38. Bird Nesting Boxes
It's hard to see in this photo, but there are some bird nesting boxes way back there. You can often see swallows at a distance in the Summer.
39. Viking Way Entrance
My route started and ended at the Viking Way entrance. Note that there is NO parking here, but there is a bike rack. If you're driving in, it will be easier to start either at the Lindvig Way entrance (the main entrance) or at the entrance on Bond Road as both have a parking lot (and both are marked with the P symbol on this route).
40. End
I finished the route at the same place I started.
41. Bridge, then under Lindvig Way and murals
Somehow my route didn't take me this way during the walk when I recorded this route! But if you go to the nearby platform I have marked, you'll see a bridge. Go across it and take the path by the mural with the Viking maiden and you'll go into the parking area for Liberty Bay auto center. There are some steps back up to the sidewalk if you want to continue going and walk into downtown Poulsbo.
Go on the other side, by the mural with the otter and the fish and you'll go behind a building and then find some steps where you can go up and access a playground or view the Martinson cabin.
42. Sani-can
There's a sani-can somewhere right around here near the Linvig Way entrance to the park. You'll also find some bags for dog poop.
Poulsbo’s Fish Park is popular with dog-walkers (dog walkers, note that there are “doggie bags” available near the front of the park so clean up after your pup!) and with families with kids.
Though not as popular as it used to be, it seems, the Poulsbo
Glossary entry about Poulsbo, WA, a lovely town in Kitsap Co... Fish Park is also a Pokemon Go spot. One day the park was crowded and a mom rolling her eyes told me, “It’s a Charmander event.”
The park sits on Dogfish creek and its estuary empties out into Liberty Bay.
I noted one intrepid kayaker, some time ago, blogged about kayaking into the Fish Park. However, I’d be very careful about that and be very aware of the tides. It turns into a mud flat when the tide goes out and you could get trapped. I’ve kayaked Liberty Bay many, many times, but do not venture in to the Fish Park.
The park has numerous boardwalks and little bridges going over streams. There are also several benches around the park, observation platforms, and picnic tables.
You’ll also find a small amphitheater here at the park, which appears to be intended for outdoor educational programs, though I’ve never seen it used for such.
Fish at the Fish Park
You might think that Poulsbo’s Fish Park was named for the fish motif that runs throughout the park! But there are fish here — during the fall salmon run, you might be able to spy coho and chum salmon as well as some trout here. Early November, WSU usually hosts salmon tours and this is one of the numerous spots around town to view the salmon. Besides fish, you’ll likely encounter plenty of bunnies at the park, as well. In fact, you’re likely to encounter more bunnies than fish.Art at Poulsbo’s Fish Park
Notable, it is large, driftwood fish sculpture made by local artist Travis Foreman. The site had been a candidate for one of the wood troll sculptures by Thomas Dambo — which seems a good fit for Poulsbo — but the city decided against it and Bainbridge Island now has Pia the Peacemaker at Sakai Park. You can walk underneath the road on one path and view murals by artist James Mayo — one depicting otters and fish and another depicting natural and what I, upon first glance, thought were supposed to be “historical” scenes — though I am pretty sure that no Viking maidens existed in Poulsbo except in the imagination or in cosplay!Birding at Poulsbo’s Fish Park
If you come in the park at the Lindvig Way entrance, you might note a birding trail sign. There are many birds here…but bring your binoculars and prepare for frustration with getting bird photos (and have a long lens ready). On most of my visits here, the birds are high up in the canopy or way back at one of the bird boxes. Sure, I’ve seen a bald eagle or osprey flying far overhead but I’ve found this area better for bird viewing or bird sounds that for getting decent bird photos (except for little brown jobs and robins that like to come down to ground level).Not for cycling!
The trails at the fish park are not for cycling. Foot traffic only. There are (fish shaped, of course) racks to lock up your ride near the entrances to the park.Gallery
The gallery below has any photos or videos we’ve tagged as “Poulsbo Fish Park” on this site and accepts user uploads.Learn more about cooperative galleries and user uploads.
” alt=”Poulsbo’s Fish Park mural under the road” width=”450″ height=”300″ data-no-lazy=”1″ data-src-fg=”https://www.pnwbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2024/03/Some-Fish-Park-Stills-for-Video-Sequence-12/1155221146.jpg” />
